Three-Time Olympian Mastro Talks Snowboard Halfpipe Ahead of Qualifying

Maddie Mastro, a veteran of three Winter Olympics, discusses the technical demands and high-risk nature of the snowboard halfpipe event.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Maddie Mastro, a 25-year-old three-time Olympian, provides insight into the challenges of competing in the snowboard halfpipe event ahead of the qualifying round at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan. Mastro, who has 18 World Cup podiums and four X Games medals, emphasizes the sport's technical precision and high-risk, high-reward nature, as athletes must land tricks on a sheet of ice after soaring up to 20 feet above the 22-foot-tall halfpipe walls.

Why it matters

Snowboard halfpipe is one of the marquee events at the Winter Olympics, showcasing the athleticism, bravery, and skill of the world's top snowboarders. Mastro's perspective sheds light on the immense difficulty of the discipline and the mental fortitude required to excel at the highest level.

The details

The Olympic-sized halfpipe at Copper Mountain in Colorado is 600 feet long with 22-foot-tall walls and an 18-degree pitch. Mastro, who was the first woman to land a double crippler in the halfpipe, emphasizes the small margin for error, as athletes must land their tricks perfectly on the icy surface after soaring up to 20 feet above the pipe. She has managed to find great success in the sport, with 18 World Cup podiums, four X Games medals, and a FIS World Cup halfpipe crystal globe last season.

  • Mastro will compete in the qualifying round on Wednesday morning.
  • The final round for women's snowboard halfpipe is scheduled for Thursday morning.

The players

Maddie Mastro

A 25-year-old three-time Olympic snowboarder who is an absolute force to be reckoned with in the sport of snowboard halfpipe, having 18 World Cup podiums, four X Games medals, and a FIS World Cup halfpipe crystal globe.

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What they’re saying

“It's a lot more technical, I think, than people realize.”

— Maddie Mastro, Three-Time Olympic Snowboarder (KOAA)

“We have such a small space of landing that you have to land pretty perfectly or it could go really wrong.”

— Maddie Mastro, Three-Time Olympic Snowboarder (KOAA)

“Easiest way to manage that fear is to find the joy and the fun in it.”

— Maddie Mastro, Three-Time Olympic Snowboarder (KOAA)

What’s next

Mastro will compete in the qualifying round on Wednesday morning, with the final round for women's snowboard halfpipe scheduled for Thursday morning.

The takeaway

Snowboard halfpipe is an incredibly demanding discipline that requires immense skill, precision, and bravery from the world's top athletes. Maddie Mastro's perspective highlights the technical complexity and high-risk, high-reward nature of the sport, underscoring the dedication and mental fortitude needed to excel at the Olympic level.